Archive of the pre-timeskip roleplays. If you wish to continue a pre-timeskip roleplay, you'll have to do so in the DT Freestyle subforum! PM Thalar to have a thread moved from this subforum to the Freestyle subforum.

Detir decided that he was unnecessary (hopefully, he didn't want to piss off any more ladies today) and quietly edged out of the fortress. He'd come back later when it looked like life was a surer thing. Maybe the Sullisin'rune Fortress had a party he could participate in...? ((off to the Sullisin'rune Fortress!)

Suru stood with Shamsa for awhile, watching Detir scurry off. As soon as the last wisps of his cloak disappeared around the corner, Suru redirected her attention back to the Beldrobbaen in front of her. Plate armor, a look solemn enough for an eternal funeral, menacing height...this was a female that could walk around Chel'el'sussoloth without fear or worry. Her ears perked up slightly at her request and another smile lit up her face, revealing pearly whites that contrasted heavily with her dark skin.

"Plushies for the children, then? I would direct you to the toy and luxury wares at the farther end of our personal market, but I happen to know a very talented plushie maker. Let me escort you to him. My name is Suru'sunduir Sariya'ssinssuruul Illhar'dro, you can call me Suru for short. May I inquire to your name Lady Val?"

With a flourish, Suru began leading the way through the fortress to the personal quarters where the Houses and higher nobles held residence. She lifted an airy hand in a gesture to indicate the shadowy Bel tailing her was a friend. The fortress was quiet...with good reason. Chel'el'sussoloth had become, to put it, unstable as of late. Trade interruptions, Black Sun, growing Sharen-Sarghress animosity.... Many of the Chelian branches of the Illhar'dros were moving back to Nuqrah'shadeh or Val'Raveran. In the distance, the soft sounds of music could be heard while diamond crystal fountains dribbled their water over the cultivated plants. A few glamorous Surface birds strutted by, fluffing their pomposity to the passing females.

"You will have to excuse the emptiness of the fortress...trade instability and the like. The time I had just coming from Val'Raveran to Chel'el'sussoloth was a nightmare. Runners passing us to and fro with warnings of Black Sun mercenaries stalking the routes. To think that the vermin would venture so close to Chel. Have you heard any news of this?"

"Shamshayid Aleyrin Val'Beldrobbaen. Shamsha if you wish to save your breath." Shamsha answered almost mechanically, although devoid of the venom she had employed against the male before. She did follow the lady around, her good manners refreshing versus the usual male rashness and curses, or the over-the-top attempts to be polite that made her sick. But then again, she was an Illhar'dro, their speciality was entertaining. And there she was, inquiring about things, trying to pry with that pretty mouth of hers into Shamsha's mind and mood.

"I am used to emptiness. Remember where do I come from." She quipped back. "The Black Sun, charred remnants that have been on our borders since forever... and that came from the very same nation of the Illhar'dro, as far as I know. They are attracted like all scavengers to the violence and carrion, therefore in the current situation they would thrive. I am no expert on it, but isn't that your domain, lady?" She said, while staring too deeply at one of the surface birds to make the beast uncomfortable enough under her unyielding gaze. Her hand stretched slowly and surely, like a spider crawling towards her prey. The bird was paralyzed by fear. And then the Spider lady stroke its chin gently, before letting it go its way. "Magnificent birds, by the way."

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance Shamsha. We are honored to have you visit, from one lonely fortress to another. May Sharess bless your clan."

Suru added the last part solemnly, touching a finger to her forehead. Suru wouldn't look it but she was a big fan of Sharess, especially after arriving in Chel'el'sussoloth and adopting the abandoned Chelian system of Sharess worship. She stopped a little with Shamsha as they admired the now growing flock of majestic birds strutting about, flashing their feathers, letting out soft chirping sounds like muffled silver bells. The Black Sun, yes...they were a 'clan' that hers knew far too well.

"Yes...I suppose we do. I have not yet had encounters with them actually, in fact, my trade caravan arrived just in time before the initial wave of attacks. I hear they have already destroyed a clan...the one that set itself up by the ruins? In fact, many of our Illhar'dro outposts are either being reinforced or evacuated back to Nuqrah'shareh. Or at least, the families I know of. It is not the proper environment to be spread out as we are."

"..." Shamsha stopped in her walk, upon mentioning Moon's End. "I hate parties, Suru." She again frowned. "I was too busy watching over my offspring security. The Sharen offer was kind, but I would rather trust my own than the dragons... They are great allies, but they have been doing odd things since the war."

She again shrugged."The near future doesn't bode well. There's plenty of unrest, hidden under an aparent calm and silence. Some elders have compared it to the calm before a storm, but I don't know how would a storm feel. Our ancestor lands are long lost. Still, this Moon's End has left a bitter aftertaste." She added. She didn't hesitate telling her pessimistic views as she watched over the Illhar'dro. "Your clan does well in rallying their troops. Soon, mark my words, in this city, alliances will matter little and it will be everyone on their own. Just like it has always been, except the masks will finally fall off."

Suru'sunduiri stopped as she heard the distinct pause of steps, she turned around slightly. I hate parties. Well, not entirely surprising considering the clan she was hailing from and the Illhar'dro clan did send an invitation to the Vals of every clan every Moons End and the Beldrobbaen never came... What Suru saw in Sham'sha was something she had heard about and seen from afar, that edge to the voice, the suspicion in the eyes, the guarded posture. Hard times. Hard times.

"Yes...odd things indeed. There are rumors of Sarghress and Sharen clashes on the streets"

Suru glanced around them, the halls around them were silent and still. If anyone were to hear them...Suru shook her head to clear the thoughts, falling back a little to walk side by side with Sham'sha. Close enough to whisper but far enough not to attract any suspicion.

"We are aware of it. Though we carry it under whispers. It was not pure luck that guided the demons away from our fortress...the Nidraa'chal ruins are hardly a stone throws away let alone the lands of the Dutan'vir being in closer proximity. That is why my clan encourages expansion, to remove the collecting steam in this pot, to redirect the focus elsewhere. But as you probably heard from the Council a few Moons ago...ah, we're here."

They stopped in front of a open doorway which Suru let herself in. She gestured for Sham'sha to follow through the veil of curtain inside. Inside, there were walls upon walls of toys and plushes. Wool, fur, silk. Gigantic beasties, small beasties. Mythical figures and villains. Button eyes, stitched mouths. Suru picked up a toy, a pink rabbit, and looked at it. Dropping the toy into the heap, her tone changed considerably, speaking a bit louder than her former whisper,

"Let us not dwell on darker topics, you have come for plushes for your children. Pu'lao seems to be out but he won't mind if we browse till he comes back. He's an old, sweet fellow...spent too much time on the Surface you see. He's a toy fanatic really, went up to the Ancient Lands to look for remnants of the toys of the dokkalfar to replicate. He does nothing with them and he gives them away freely."

Kalandrin was clad in her full battle armour, her backpack and arms included, as she approached the fortress of the Val'Illhar'do clan in Chel'el'sussoloth. With her, she carried an important message for the third daughter of her De'vess, Shamshayid Aleiryn Val'Beldrobbaen. It was... interesting she had been commanded to deliver it at once, and her briefing made her understand the circumstances would bring trouble, but this was the Val'Beldrobbaen after all. Problem was, based on how she was equipped, she was glad to be alone; any more and someone might think the Aleiryn were doing field manoeuvres or something.

It was not easy to get past the entrance, truth be told. The guards had told her to wait, as they sent for the Beldrobbaen lady within their clan's walls. A servant would go forth with word that a messenger from the Val'Beldrobbaen was looking for Lady Shamshayid, as Kalandrin waited half-impatiently. The guards before her didn't seem to enjoy her presence; but who would enjoy the presence of a heavily armoured drider outside the Beldrobbaen clan? She had gotten enough bad looks on her way here as it stood. All she could do, was wait patiently and intimidate away any potential aggression. As well as hope she pissed off nobody too powerful as well.

Kadan'shi walked through the Illhar'dro market, his black clothing and hair an odd sight in the sea of pastel colors. The taciturn Beldrobbaen enjoyed stepping outside his clan's dreary fortress every now and then to enjoy the finer things in life, namely the tangerine he was eating as he browsed. Something caught his eye; a figure attired in a similar manner as he, talking to an Illhar'dro female.

The other Beldrobbaen caused Kadan'shi's heart to skip a beat. The female was dressed likewise for war, and she towered nearly a foot over the male. It had to be Shamshayid, who was notorious for her misandry. Most likely, she wouldn't take kindly to his presence. Like most nobles of his clan, Kadan'shi was humble among females, and he decided to remain out of sight for the time being.

Last edited by Alric on Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

((OOC: Double post, but this is so everyone notices I've posted. I apologize for taking this long, I had other matters to attend to)).

"The craft is excellent." Shamsha said, a thin smile creeping in her lips. "He could make a living out of these if he wanted to." She added as she looked at Suru and snuggled the toy against her own face. "It's good for a child, I will give you that. Warm, soft, devoid of pointy ends." Her mind seemed to wander a little, but she was quickly drawn back to earth as soon as she spotted one of the servants making all the way towards her.

"Hm... It seems like my clan isn't keen on leaving me to my own devices. If you will forgive me, Suru. I've got some people to talk with." Shamshayid cast the plushie again in the pile it was, her frown reappearing as she resumed her heavy walking towards where Kalandrin was. And then her eyes caught the glance of yet another Beldrobbaen. Not that it was too hard, they had a tendence to stick like sore thumbs among the Illhar'dro. She cursed under her breath. Kalandrin was something she could put up with reasonable, but the male...

She stopped before the drider, her arms folded. "You had better have a good explanation to interrupt my leisure time like this, Kalandrin. Is the male with you, too?" She added while tilting her head towards the other Val of the spider clan.

The drider's eyes rested upon the colorful, quite possibly disgusted figures around her, until the arrival of the noble she had come for. Upon the arrival of one of the De'vess's daughters, Kalandrin saluted with respect and then bowed appropriately, before sticking her hand out to deliver the hand-written message from the Aleiryn. Her many eyes were immediately fixed on the Val lady with military discipline.

"Milady Shamshayid. I come bearing a message from the House" Kalandrin said dutifully. "I have been duly assigned as your personal guard, as per the wishes of the De'vess. I am awaiting your commands." She saluted again, and then her hands met the hilt of her blade and the handle of her mace, which rested by her side. Then, without glancing elsewhere in the slightest, she replied to the Val's question.

"My presence here is unrelated to Lord Val Kadan'shi's, milady" she spoke formally, her gaze having never left the large drowess before her.

Was that a smile? Suru had to blink a couple times to make sure, but the tall, dark Val seemed very much content in the presence of so many toys. Well that was an interesting thing to take note of. In the midst of picking another plushie, they were interrupted and Suru glanced at the messenger that had arrived for Shamsha. Strolling over to his messed up desk, Suru picked up one his writing utensils and scribbled a quick note to put the toys on her tab. Carefully selecting the discarded spider plushie, she added a pink tiktikki plush, a Sharess plush, and a dragon plush to top it off. Straightening herself back up, she swept some loose strands of hair away from her face, and walked out of the room with some plushies to follow Shamsha.

The three gathered Beldrobbaen resembled a mini blackhole in the bright and cheer of the Illhar'dro fortress and some of the clans members were casting furtive looks in their direction. It was like the arrival of so much black and heavy armor dubbed down the disembodied singing that permeated the fortress. One of them halted Suru in her steps, pulling her aside and whispering in a hurried manner,

"Suru, could you possibly go to see the trouble at the front? We know you have had experience dealing with Beldr-"

Suru held a hand up to halt her, responding smoothly,

"I was just going to oversee the situation, don't worry."

With long strides, she arrived gracefully at the back of Shamsha, facing Kalandarin and Kadan'shi, a bag full of plushies in her arms. She cast a curious look over the drider; they rarely ventured from their residences and she met very few who wore armor and carried a sword.

Shamshayid's frown did not leave her face once the drider adressed her. She had been adressed her formally, that was nothing to be berated at, but the news she did carry stung her a little. Goddess be damned, mother! I'm not your pet on a leash! I want to breathe sometimes! She thought mentally while she dismissed the drider with a hand wave. "At ease, Kalandrin, I have no need of you at the moment." She grunted afterwards. "Such is mother... I can't be left unatended despite having no troubles birthing three daughters for her lineage." She casually dropped it. Plus someone would have some sort of a death wish if they were to sneak up on me...

And that's when she noticed someone staring at her back. She could feel it. Her own body moved jerkily, spurred by urgency and tension, managing to unsheathe her dagger and pointing at the offender who had indeed dared to try to sneak upon her, the blade ready to stab it in the throat.

Only to find it had been the Illhar'dro girl, with a bag of plushies. Shamshayid narrowed her eyes, and then let out a sigh, putting her weapon away as to not show aggression any further.

"Don't do that again, Suru. It's dangerous to try to gain my back without announcing your presence first." She casually added.

A squeak of fear escaped Suru's mouth as the blur of black spun around with such intensity and ferocity, resulting in a quivering point of a gleaming dagger pointing directly into the pack of plushies placed directly over her chest. There was an awkward silence for awhile and a few Illhar'dro guards casted furtive looks over to the group assembled at the gates. Finally, Suru regained her senses and slipped into her usual attitude, sweet and layered with honey.

"Of course, my apologies Lady Shamsha. Are these friends of yours? Have they come from toys as well?"

Suru looked past Shamsha and towards Kalandarin and Kadan'shi. Unlike most drow who grew to detest the driders, Suru and her House reveled in the services they could provide. Top notch raw silk sheets, the main business Suru depended on as a wealthy merchant so seeing the armored drider didn't phase her a bit. The group was gaining attention as clan members and guards peered curiously over to the mass of black and dot of blue, their whispers carrying over to Suru's sensitive ears.

"How incredibly rude of me to have our Val guests standing at our gates in such an undignified manner. Let me escort you all to my House's lodgings, we've received a fresh batch of honey from the Surface and numerous other sweets. Allow me to entertain you Vals for a short while and we may discuss whatever you all were discussing in a more intimate atmosphere."

The ears of the Illhar'dro were keen to anything, anything said in public was sure to be heard by a trained songstress, so privacy in conversation should be carried behind walls and closed doors...

Kadan'shi bowed low before the two females of his clan. "And a good day to you too, Lady Shamshayid." He hoped that she wouldn't take offense to his presence. In any event, Kadan'shi was very much the respectful male Val, never being one to rock the boat. "I was just here to do some shopping myself."

Personal guard? I know the De'vess always watched out for her daughter especially after the…events at the Sullisin'rune dome, but she's sent Kalandrin to act as her guard? This turn of events was unexpected.

The male was taken off guard by Shamshayid's sudden reaction to the unexpected appearance of the Illhar'dro female. "Some assassin," stated Kadan'shi blandly. "I would be delighted to accept your offer, madam Suru'sunduiri." replied Kadan'shi to the Illhar'dro's offer. "I came here to shop for goods and ran into my clansmates at the market."